Manitoba Bill 13 and Rent Control Expansion 2027: What Landlords Need to Prepare For

Manitoba's rent control framework is changing materially: the 2027 threshold affects units near the limit, while separate above-guideline changes affect landlords applying for rent increases above the guideline.

The Threshold Expansion

The biggest change: effective January 1, 2027, the high-rent exemption threshold rises from $1,670 to $2,000 per month. Units renting between $1,670 and $1,999 that were exempt from the guideline cap in 2026 are now pulled back under rent control.

For a landlord whose unit's rent remains at $1,800 on December 31, 2026, this means a 2027 increase is generally capped at 3.0%, unless another exemption applies. The landlord must factor this into any rent strategy set during 2026.

The 2027 Guideline: 3.0%

The annual guideline jumps from 1.8% (2026) to 3.0% for increases taking effect between January 1 and December 31, 2027. On a $1,500 unit, the maximum increase rises from $27 to $45 per month.

The guideline is based on Manitoba's CPI formula. The 3.0% rate was announced by the province in September 2026.

Separate Regulation Changes to Capital Expenses

The capital expense changes came from M.R. 116/2026, a regulation registered on October 30, 2026, not from Bill 13. It changed the allowable percentages for listed capital expenses in Section 9(1.2) of M.R. 156/92 to 20%, 15%, 10%, or 7.5%, depending on the item, and changed the monthly furniture allowance in Section 10.2 from 1/36 to 2.78%.

M.R. 116/2026 applies to an above-guideline application if the Director had not issued an order before October 30, regardless of when the application was filed. Applications with an order already issued remain under the previous rules, and the regulation does not require a new notice or application.

Bill 13 is separate legislation. It passed third reading on October 15, 2026, but its official bill page still shows no Royal Assent date as of November 1, 2026. It does not make the capital expense changes described above.

What Landlords Should Do Now

Landlords in the $1,670–$1,999 band should model both years for 2027: the guideline cap does not apply to rent increases effective in 2026 for a unit exempt on December 31, 2025, but a 2027 effective date is generally capped at 3.0% if the rent payable on December 31, 2026 is below $2,000. The three-month notice and 12-month frequency rules still apply.

Landlords with rent at or above $2,000 on December 31, 2026 remain exempt from the percentage guideline in 2027, though the three-month notice and 12-month frequency rules still apply.

Landlords planning AGI applications should use the amended M.R. 156/92 rules. Filing before October 30 did not preserve the former capital expense percentages if the Director had not yet issued an order by that date.

The Manitoba Rent Increase Landlord's Guide covers both the 2026 and 2027 regulatory frameworks side by side — including the threshold transition, the guideline jump, and the Form 1A adjustments landlords need for each year.

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